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Summer Quinoa Salad Recipe
This light and fresh Summer Quinoa Salad is perfect for a hot sunny day or dinner on the patio. It's loaded with sweet cherries, toasted almonds, feta cheese, and fresh herbs and tossed with a lemony dressing. Leftovers make a healthy and delicious lunch. It's a healthy vegetarian + gluten-free side dish that can easily be made vegan, too.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
32 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 272 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
North American
Ingredients
Summer Quinoa Salad
- 1 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 1 1 cup cherries pitted and quartered
- ¼ ¼ cup crumbled feta
- ½ ½ cup dry roasted almonds chopped
- ¼ ¼ cup EACH: chopped basil, mint, and dill
The Dressing
- juice from 2 large lemons
- 1 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- ¼ ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 1 clove garlic very finely minced
- ½ ½ teaspoon sea salt see notes
- A pinch of cayenne
Instructions
- Place the quinoa in a small pot and add 2 cups of water. Bring the pot to a boil over high heat. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to cook for 12-15 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat, fluff the quinoa with a fork, and set it aside with the lid off to cool.
- While the quinoa is cooking, pit the cherries, chop (and toast, if needed) the almonds, and chop the herbs.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk all of the salad dressing ingredients.
- Once the quinoa is room temperature, transfer it to a serving bowl. Add all of the remaining ingredients to the bowl and pour the lemony dressing over the top. Toss well then serve.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- You want the dressing to be a bit salty as it is the salt for the entire dish. The dressing should taste a little saltier than you think it should.
- This salad keeps very well. Lunch for days!
Nutrition Information
Serving
1 serving = ⅙ of the recipe
Calories
272kcal
(14%)
Carbohydrates
25g
(8%)
Protein
7g
(14%)
Fat
17g
(26%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
Monounsaturated Fat
10g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
6mg
(2%)
Sodium
280mg
(12%)
Potassium
299mg
(9%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
100IU
(2%)
Vitamin C
7mg
(8%)
Calcium
75mg
(8%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 272
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 serving = ⅙ of the recipe | |
| Calories | 272kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 25g | 8% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 17g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 6mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 280mg | 12% |
| Potassium | 299mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 100IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 7mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 75mg | 8% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.